Convention v. Primary? Just Win, Baby (Updated 10 am)
In the lead up to the coming “super, major, awesome decision of the summer” (TM) by the Republican Party of Virginia as to whether or not to have a convention or primary next year, the candidates who will be most affected are chiming-in.
First, we’ve heard from our three LG candidates, beginning with Bryce Reeves:
“As a passionate conservative who has come up through Virginia’s grassroots – serving as a volunteer then a county chairman – I feel very strongly that Republican activists are the best individuals to select our nominees for public office.
I’m a steadfast supporter of a convention for next year’s nomination process.”
Then Glenn Davis:
“I have not wasted my time over-analyzing which method of nomination may be best for our campaign, because that decision is something that I cannot control, nor would it be proper for me to try to influence that decision. I entered this race feeling strongly that our strategy and our message of restoring Virginia’s status as the best state in the nation for business and job growth would provide a path to success under either method of nomination.”
and Jill Vogel:
“I have stayed out of state central committee elections and will not tell them what they should or should not do. That is their role and certainly not my place. My focus is entirely on building the best grassroots campaign I can build to win the LG race. While it was set to be a convention, I have been working hard to build a grassroots campaign to win a convention.”
Second, we also heard from the Adams campaign:
“John Adams got in this race expecting a convention and has stated that he supports conventions while out on the campaign trail. However, this is a decision for State Central to make and we are prepared to run regardless of which nomination method is chosen.” – Nick Collette, Adams’ campaign manager.
So, you’ve heard also from Brian, Shaun, and DJ Spiker…all making great points.
For me, I like to keep it simple.
If you, as a candidate, are worried about what kind of nomination contest a bunch of activists are going to choose for how their party is going to choose their nominee, you should actually be worried about the viability of your campaign.
If it’s a convention – get your people to the contest and have your team of parliamentarians well-versed in “Robert’s Rules” ready to go.
If it’s a primary – get your message out to the masses and make sure they know their polling location.
End of the day: Just win baby.
Update – Statement from Corey Stewart, gubernatorial candidate:
Virginia Republicans have been at odds over the nomination process for almost a decade, creating unnecessary infighting and weakening our primary goal of being successful in November. The past State Central Committee (SCC) came to a commonsense compromise to help unify the party.
This past March we participated in the first action of that compromise and exercised our right to vote in the Presidential Primary. As Donald Trump’s Virginia State Chair, I and many others were pleased with the results of the primary. As a candidate for statewide office in 2017, I can see a path to victory whether the SCC chooses a convention or a primary. More importantly, if the SCC goes back on the compromise, it will be a harder path to victory in 2017 for the party as a whole, as we deal with more infighting and distrust, that will inevitably be created from their decision.
We all must come together and unify for the sake of winning, not just this November, but in future elections. That is why I am asking the members of the SCC to uphold the compromise this Saturday and vote convention, and not push the vote to a later date-causing more uncertainty for grassroots activists and campaigns around the state.
Update Wednesday, 8/24, 10 am. From Del. Rob Bell, candidate for attorney general:
“I am comfortable with the current plans for a convention, but am fine with whatever State Central decides. I just want to know which one it will be.”
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